I think you are refering to the MD10,Dc10 with out the systems panel operator,given glass cockpit simular to the MD11,all i am saying is in reference to the panel operator quip is our MD11s spend alot less time on the ground than the old Dc10s(Read into that what you will).A flight engineer used to be just that a "flight engineer" an engineer who flew and also held a liscence(A&P) where as nowadays(with our company) they tend to be ex Capts F/Os that have to move to a back seat for age reasons etc. Our MEL for the DC10 and MD11 are very simular to the amount of restrictions that they apply,i would say if anything the MD11 MEL is slightly less restrictive.No offense to flight engineers but your time is up and the computers have all but taken over.